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‘We have to face all current challenges', says Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan without mentioning US tariffs
‘We have to face all current challenges', says Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan without mentioning US tariffs

Indian Express

time11-08-2025

  • Business
  • Indian Express

‘We have to face all current challenges', says Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan without mentioning US tariffs

A day after Defence Minister targeted the US administration following President Donald Trump's unilateral action against India in the middle of negotiations for a trade deal, Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan said Monday that 'we will have to face current challenges'. Addressing a press conference after a meeting with seafood exporters and other stakeholders, Lalan said that the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Russia and other markets present opportunities for Indian seafood exporters. Singh said the recently signed India's Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK also has provisions for the fisheries sector. 'Aaj ki taarikh me jo bhi chunauti aayi hai uska mukabala karna hai. (Whatever challenges have come today, we have to face them),' Lalan said amid concerns over US President Trump's announcement of 25 per cent additional tariffs over and above the 25 per cent announced earlier. On Sunday, without taking names, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that 'there are some people' who think they are 'sabke boss' and, because 'they do not like the rapid development of India', are trying to make Indian goods expensive. Singh was the first senior minister of the Modi government to target the Trump administration following the US President's unilateral action against India in the middle of negotiations for a trade deal. 'There are some people who do not like the rapid development of India. They don't like it: We are the boss of everyone, how is India growing so rapidly?' he said. Responding to a query, the Union fisheries minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made clear that the farmers' interests will not be compromised. During the meeting, exporters, too, said they stand with PM Modi's remarks, Singh said. Seafood exporters gave their suggestions regarding the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in the next cycle of the Finance Commission. Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, S P Singh Baghel and George Kurian, senior officials of the ministry, and other stakeholders attended the meeting. About 50 seafood exporters, representatives of four major seafood exporting states, and officials from the Union Ministry of Commerce also participated in the meeting. The US is the major destination of India's seafood products. India's seafood exports in 2024-25 reached $7.38 billion, amounting to 1.78 million metric tonnes. Shrimp formed the most significant component, accounting for 92 per cent of India's seafood exports, and the US market alone accounted for over 40 per cent of India's total shrimp exports. Meanwhile, as The Indian Express reported, shrimp farmers in Andhra Pradesh 'will be forced to close down or cultivate other species that do not yield such high profits' if the US decides to go ahead with the additional 25 per cent tariffs. There are around 6.5 lakh aquafarmers in Andhra Pradesh, and of the 241 aquaculture exporters in the country, 171 are based in the state. 'Medium and big farmers produce larger shrimp, known as 30-count or 40-count, referring to the number of shrimps per kilogramme. About 90% of the large shrimp are exported to the US and sell for Rs 350-400 per kg. Due to the heavy tariffs, exporters will avoid purchasing these,' said S Lal Mohammad, Joint Director (aquaculture), Fisheries Department, Andhra Pradesh. Mohammad said farmers would likely move towards growing smaller shrimp, such as the 100-count variety that sells for around Rs 220-230 per kg, which are generally not sent to the US. D Dileep, Secretary (Andhra Pradesh region), Seafood Exporters Association of India, said the sector will come to a standstill if the tariff issue is not resolved immediately. 'We are talking of closure of operations of not only aqua ponds and farms, but also of hatcheries, shrimp processing units, packaging units, cold storages, and ice factories,' he said. While Andhra Pradesh produces 60 per cent of India's shrimp export, the other major supplier, Odisha, is also bracing for the changes.

Controversy brews ahead of Bihar polls after Union minister Lalan Singh hosts mutton feast during Saawan
Controversy brews ahead of Bihar polls after Union minister Lalan Singh hosts mutton feast during Saawan

Time of India

time18-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Controversy brews ahead of Bihar polls after Union minister Lalan Singh hosts mutton feast during Saawan

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav , who has repeatedly drawn flak from the ruling NDA for consuming non-vegetarian food during Navratra and Saawan, on Thursday hit back at Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan , alias Lalan, for hosting a ' mutton party '. The feast was reportedly held in Lakhisarai district, which falls under the Munger Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Lalan - a former national president of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U). Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Management Data Science Finance MCA Technology others Others Design Thinking Product Management Project Management Operations Management Artificial Intelligence Leadership CXO Healthcare healthcare MBA Public Policy PGDM Digital Marketing Degree Data Science Data Analytics Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK General Management Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Speaking to PTI Video, Tejashwi said, "We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo The tongue-in-cheek remark was an alleged reference to earlier controversies surrounding non-veg feasts by opposition leaders. Two years ago, the Congress-RJD alliance was targeted by the BJP-led coalition over a mutton feast during Sawaan hosted by RJD president Lalu Prasad, which was attended by Rahul Gandhi. Live Events Last year, Tejashwi himself was accused by Prime Minister Modi of insulting Hindus after a video surfaced showing him eating fish fry during Navratri.

Bihar: Tejashwi Hits Back at Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan for Hosting Mutton Feast
Bihar: Tejashwi Hits Back at Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan for Hosting Mutton Feast

News18

time17-07-2025

  • Politics
  • News18

Bihar: Tejashwi Hits Back at Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan for Hosting Mutton Feast

Last Updated: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hit back at Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan, alias Lalan, for hosting a 'mutton party' during Sawan. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan has triggered a political row after he purportedly hosted a 'mutton party" for his workers during the ongoing holy month of Sawan. The feast was reportedly held in Lakhisarai district, which falls under the Munger Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Lalan — a former national president of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U). RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who has repeatedly drawn flak from the ruling NDA for consuming non-vegetarian food during the auspicious days of Sawan and Navratri, on Thursday slammed the JDU leader and took a dig at the ally BJP saying that the saffron party won't say anything now. 'BJP would now say that it is 'punya' that Lalan Singh is feeding mutton to his people & workers, because he is their ally & a Union Minister. They won't say anything now. When PM comes here tomorrow, I hope he will speak on Lalan Singh, that he is feeding mutton in Sawan," Tejashwi told ANI, in a sarcastic response to PM Modi's earlier criticism of him over a similar issue. Politics over non-veg is not a new thing in Bihar. Two years ago, the Congress-RJD alliance was targeted by the BJP-led coalition over a mutton feast during Sawaan hosted by RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, which was attended by Rahul Gandhi. Last year, Tejashwi Yadav himself was accused by Prime Minister Modi of insulting Hindus after a video surfaced showing him eating fish fry during Navratri. The video in question was posted by Tejashwi Yadav himself, who later clarified it was shot before the festival and meant to expose what he called the 'low IQ" of his critics. Sawan, also called Shravan, is a holy month in the Hindu calendar, considered extremely auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. During this time, it is customary for many Hindus to abstain from non-vegetarian food. (With inputs from agencies) view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 21:14 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Bihar: Gaya beneficiary gets free treatment under Ayushman Bharat scheme
Bihar: Gaya beneficiary gets free treatment under Ayushman Bharat scheme

Hans India

time07-06-2025

  • Health
  • Hans India

Bihar: Gaya beneficiary gets free treatment under Ayushman Bharat scheme

Gaya (Bihar): The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, continues to be a lifeline for countless Indians. Offering free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary hospital care, the scheme has emerged as a game-changer in India's healthcare landscape—especially for the poor and lower-middle-class population. In Bihar's Gaya district, the impact of this flagship scheme is evident in the story of Lalan Chaudhary, a farmer originally from Nalanda district. Currently undergoing treatment at Magadh Medical College in Gaya, Lalan is receiving all his medical services—surgery, medicines, accommodation, and food—completely free of cost through his Ayushman Bharat card. Speaking to IANS, Lalan Chaudhary, a beneficiary, said, 'The hips of both my legs were damaged. I've been under treatment for the last one and a half months, and it's all being done free of cost through the Ayushman card. Where would poor people like us get Rs 5 lakh for treatment? We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Medicines, food—everything is taken care of. This is a very good scheme.' Chaudhary learned about the scheme when a government outreach team visited his village. 'They helped us make the Ayushman card at home itself. Now, many people in our village are benefiting from it,' he added. Such personal accounts reflect the broader transformation in India's healthcare ecosystem over the last decade. Through a combination of digitisation, public sector engagement, and targeted welfare initiatives, the Government has brought quality healthcare within reach for millions who previously struggled with high costs and red tape. Crucially, Ayushman Bharat addresses the needs of the "missing middle"—families who neither qualify for traditional subsidies nor can afford costly private insurance. By enabling access to timely hospitalisation and treatment without pushing families into debt, it has shifted the narrative around medical affordability. As of May 30, 2025, more than 41 crore Ayushman cards have been issued across 33 States and Union Territories. These have enabled over 8.5 crore hospital admissions, translating into Rs 1.19 lakh crore worth of treatment covered. A robust network of nearly 32,000 empanelled hospitals, including both public and private facilities, ensures that beneficiaries like Lalan Chaudhary receive uninterrupted medical care. The scheme's reach was further expanded in October 2024, when the Government extended coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income status. This has particularly benefited elderly citizens in the middle-income group, offering peace of mind to families burdened by rising medical expenses. In tandem with Ayushman Bharat, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is revolutionising access to affordable medicines. What began with just 80 outlets in 2014 has now grown into a network of 16,469 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These stores provide high-quality generic medicines at 50-80 per cent lower prices than their branded counterparts, all certified by WHO-GMP standards. Together, these schemes are ushering in a silent but powerful healthcare revolution in India—bridging the gap between policy and people, and turning the right to health into a lived reality.

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